Richard lay propped among the pillows like a king. The frown on his face, however, spoke of his impatience. When he saw them, he nearly leaped up.
“Do not even think of getting up!” The imperious voice belonged to Hildy. “You are not well until I declare you so.”
Richard looked to William in appeal. “Please tell these witches to release me. I am fine. I already missed what I am sure was a glorious battle.”
“Oh, it wasn’t so impressive.”
“I beg to differ, my lord,” Dariana said. “It was indeed glorious! But Richard, I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving me.”
“I fear I failed you, my lady.”
“Nonsense. You were halted by miscreants. Your bravery speaks for itself.”
“I am so glad to see you safe and sound.”
Dariana smiled. “No more than I. So do tell us—who broke down first?”
“My lady?”
“And admitted devotion? You or Leah?”
“Oh, I am certain it was she.”
“Hah!” They turned to see Leah smiling, her plump cheeks pink with delight. “If you recall, Richard—your precise words were ‘What is it exactly you require, woman, to believe a man is hopelessly in love with you?’”
Leah turned to William and Dariana. “I had only dared hope, you see. I thought he was just doing his duty.”
“I shall show you my ‘duty’ as soon as those old crones release me from their care. A more wonderful ‘duty’ a man will never have. Truth be told, though, it was she who proposed.”
“Only because you seemed unable to find the words. I suppose I have my brother’s patience.”
Richard now faced William. “Tell me everything. Did you rout the bastards at once or was there an intricate plan?”
After seeing Dariana settled and her father of to court, William took his leave to visit Lady Bethany. He dreaded delivering the sad news.
She was heartsick to learn of her husband’s murder and cried out to William to help her make sense of her husband’s death and Dariana’s abduction. “Why? He was such a kind man. Everyone loved him. Who would gain from setting up an ambush and taking his life? I am grateful that you recovered your wife. She has a generous heart and it would have been unspeakable if that blackguard had killed her, too.”
“I am convinced Justin was an innocent pawn in a plot to harm me. I cannot tell you how full of regret I am that he was murdered.”
“I understand not of what you speak.”
“It is my thinking my half-brother, Cedric, was anxious to take me from my lands and therefore leave them vulnerable. He knew if I believed Justin to be at risk I would come to his aid. Then he would be free to take my wife and use her to exact revenge upon me.”
“Why would he hate you so?”
“He is a bastard, my father’s natural son born out of wedlock. Cedric has always felt cheated and has blamed me for every lack in his life. Revenge has been the focus of his being. It has blinded him to all else, including honor.”
“I trust Dariana did not suffer overmuch at his hands?”
“He locked her in a cell but she and the babe did not suffer unduly.”
“She is with child? How wonderful! So, my beloved Justin’s soul has fled but another will take its place on the earth. Such is the way of things. But what of Cedric? Must we yet fear him?”
“We engaged him in battle north of here, but once the fight began, he ran like the coward he is. I am convinced you are safe from him, The attack on your husband was not personal but merely a means to an end.”
“I blame you not for Justin’s end. Do not think it. Men do what men do for their own reasons, so often not thinking of the pain left behind. You are such a fine man and I have always known you to be so. It saddens me that anyone should hate you so when it is so undeserved.”
William bent to kiss her hand in farewell. “You are a gracious lady. If you ever have need of anything, I and mine are at your disposal.”
CHAPTER 18
The next several weeks were a blur of activity. Preparations for the wedding occupied everyone, servants and masters alike. Dariana found herself tiring, but she was grateful the sickness had stopped. Every afternoon, just before sunset, she sought a nap to lessen the exhaustion. She would slowly make her way to her chamber and William would appear moments later to rub the stiffness from her back or comb her hair to help her sleep. She was filled with pure contentment these days and prayed the sheer pleasure of living would never change.
After her sleep, she and William would make slow, sweet love. Their passions ignited, they would seek their release with the same exquisite spirit. On one such afternoon, they lay wrapped in each other’s arms, William stroking Dariana’s cheek.
“Does all this make you long for one of your own?” he asked softly.
“You puzzle me, William. One of my own what? I have everything my heart desires.”
“Do you wish to have a true wedding, with flowers and feasting and guests?”
“A true wedding? Are we not truly wed, then?”
“Yes, love, we are wed. I meant a celebration, like that we plan for Richard and Leah.”
“Can I not attend theirs?” She was very confused by the direction of this conversation.
“Of course. I meant, one of your own.”
It took Dariana a moment for the realization to strike her. “Do you feel you have cheated me out of a wedding?”
“Have I?”
“Well,” Dariana teased. “’Tis true I had no celebration. Not even a real feast or a tiny flower.” William looked heartstruck by this, so she baited him no more. “However, I have you, my dearest love. No quail or pheasant or fancy tarts or flowers could ever make me happier than you have.” She threw her arms about his neck and kissed him soundly on the mouth.
A smile lit his face and he chuckled low in his chest. “You are a minx to torment me so.”
“Torment you?” she returned, innocently. “I was the one lacking the feast and the flowers.”
“Aye, but lately you eat enough to supply several feasts at each meal.”
She shrieked in mock outrage. “It is your son that demands I feed him so. I am a lady and only require tiny bits of food. Recall you not how little I ate before your son began his demands?”
William smiled lovingly at his wife. It was clear further discussion was futile. Dariana stroked the muscles of his chest and she could see his thoughts taking a different course. She moved her fingers along the smooth sinews and marveled at how her husband, a man possessed of such strength, could also be so gentle and caring. He kissed her softly and they melted together.
The day of the wedding finally arrived. The sun lit the land with the warm glow of early summer. The fragrances of the seasonal blossoms were everywhere and a slight breeze cooled the air. Leah was in her chamber with Dariana, trying to dress, but her hands shook so badly even her maids were becoming fretful. The usually kind and patient woman was so restive and fussy that nothing could be done to her satisfaction. Dariana took charge. Leah needed some calming or she would surely not enjoy her day of days.
Dariana sent the grateful maids scurrying from the room and approached the beleaguered woman. She reached over to a table nearby and poured a generous cup of wine, which she offered to her sister-in-law. “Drink this, dear sister. It will help.”
As Leah drank, Dariana circled her. She took in the lovely, light blonde curls pulled away from Leah’s sweet, round face. She noted the cut of the pale blue silk gown, of simple design with little flourish. Dariana smiled.
“You are beautiful,” she breathed, as she finished her perusal. “Richard will be awestruck.”
Leah flushed with pleasure. “I am so unnerved, Dariana. I have loved the man as long as memory serves me, but the thought of marriage at my age…”
“You are a perfect age. If you fear the wedding night, do not. There is naught to cause you worry, as the pleasure of giving and receiving love is a wondrous thing.�
�� Dariana gave Leah a warm embrace.
“Dariana, I owe you an apology. I was so ashamed I did not have the nerve to broach the subject before, but I feel I must clear my conscience ‘ere I speak my vows before God.”
Dariana was puzzled. “Apology? Why, perchance, would you need to say such a thing to me?”
Tears sprang to Leah’s eyes. “I—doubted you.” Dariana was surprised. Leah hurried on with her explanation. “The day you were taken, I had gone to Richard to besmirch your reputation. I sent him to follow you. You were seen in the stables with Cedric. I was told you were kissing him. And I believed the slander. Can you forgive me?”
“I only thank God you did send Richard after me. If you had not, William would not have been able to fathom my direction.”
“You do not understand. I sent Richard to watch you, not protect you. I feared you might betray my brother. Richard never doubted you, but I did.”
Dariana was shocked. “Why? What would lead you to think such as that?”
Leah seemed too embarrassed to continue, but she swallowed hard and went on. “Because you were with Cedric and I knew the circumstances of your marriage. It occurred to me you resented the situation and sought an escape.”
Dariana nodded knowingly. “I have no doubt Cedric planned it that way. As we know, Cedric is the master of the game. I was so foolish to fall into the trap he set. If I had not ridden off—”
The tears streamed down Leah’s cheeks in earnest now. “If I had been wiser and trusted you as I should have, I would have seen to your protection. Cedric never would have taken you. Can you ever forgive me?”
“There is nothing to forgive. It is over now and I am safe. There is no need to berate yourself. Please dry your tears and prepare for the joy that is to come.”
“I am so sorry. I will never doubt you again.”
“I am so proud you are my sister. Now you must wash your face and smile. You are a bride today and the man you love waits impatiently to call you his wife.”
Dariana fussed over her for a few moments more. She failed to mention her fears that Cedric was still roaming the land and none could really rest until his evil was halted.
Dariana had no sooner left Leah’s chamber when she spied William standing nearby, his back resting against a wall, a secret grin on his handsome face.
“You appear as the cat who has just drunk all the cream.” Dariana narrowed her eyes at him.
“Not exactly the cream. But I have done something that I should reveal to you.”
“Yes?”
“There is someone in the main hall come for the wedding feast. She has demanded an audience with you immediately.”
“But—”
“Just go and see.”
Dariana descended the stairs. A woman stood in the main hall, her back to Dariana. But there was something so familiar that Dariana hesitated for a moment. The woman turned and Dariana let out a cry of pure joy. The two ran to each other and were immediately hugging, laughing and talking all at once.
“Tamara! I missed you so. How came you here? I am so glad.”
“Your husband sent for me. He said I was a terrible liar. He said that indeed you lived and were now his wife and I should come. That you were safe. I hesitated not a moment. You must tell me everything. When you were gone from the forest, I was frantic. I have been sick with worry.”
“The wedding of William’s sister is to begin, but do not leave my side and I will give you every detail of my life since I left the forest.”
“We feared the worst and did not know how to search. I worried seeking you might bring on greater danger for you.”
“It has been an interesting journey and I will tell you all. Is all well with you?”
“Now that I have found you again, all is indeed well.”
“Having you here has made my life completely happy. My dearest friend, my death has truly given me life.”
King Henry arrived just after the vows had been spoken and the celebration began in earnest. He was resplendent in his favored forest green velvet. All immediately quieted and bowed in homage to their leader. It was clear that Henry gave a great honor to William, his vassal, by appearing at his sister’s nuptials.
The king, however, clearly only had eyes for William’s wife and he flirted outrageously.
“William,” he boomed, “’tis lucky for you I am a married man or your wife might turn my head.”
William tried to maintain his humor, but a thread of jealousy wended its way into his heart.
“As my vassal, all that is yours is mine, is that not so?” the king asked, the hint of teasing all too obvious in his tone.
“Aye, your majesty. Those things I can give you, you may claim. But, as your law allows only one wife, I cannot offer what would harm you to take. Therefore, by keeping my wife to myself, I protect you.”
Henry smiled and rubbed his chin. “I think I have been outdone, for I cannot for the life of me think of a proper response. So I thank you for your loyalty. All the same, I am as yet unclear how keeping your wife to yourself helps my office. But”—he waved it away with a gesture of his hand—”there is wine to be drunk and newlyweds to be toasted.”
The two who but moments before had plighted their troth, were nowhere to be found. Word was they had sneaked of to the garden to share a cup of wine and savor their union. The company went in search of the couple and pulled them back into the main hall, insisting they share their joy and reassuring them they could gain privacy later.
It was nearly dawn when the guests finally sought their rest, their king at last deciding to retire for the night. Leah and Richard had been excused earlier. She had been escorted to her marriage bed and prepared, followed ardently by her new husband. The others, however, had no choice but to stay until Henry withdrew. So the wine flowed and the feasting continued until the guests were nearly asleep where they stood.
Dawn shone pink and gold across the dark sky when William and Dariana entered their bedchamber. As tired as Dariana was most times now, this eve had seen her wide-awake and full of energy. Even now, as William fell exhausted into bed, Dariana could not find sleep. The cool morning air smelled sweet and fresh and beckoned her to seek some private adventure. She rose from the bed, walked to the window, and gazed out. The green of the dew-soaked grass winked at her in the filtered light and the fragrances of late summer flowers sang in her senses, almost dizzying in their heady magic.
It was Moonshadow who came to mind. The thought of skimming across the carpet of green on his strong back filled her imagination. Dressing quietly so as to not disturb her sleeping husband, she slipped out of the room and down, through the main hall, nearly tripping over sleeping bodies as she made her way to the door. She encountered no one as she hurried across the bailey to the stables.
For a moment, she thought of riding bareback, but then she worried she might do harm to the babe if she slipped off. It would be safer with a saddle. Quickly, so as not to waken the grooms, she saw the task done. Cautious after her last solo ride, she tied a sheathed dagger around her waist. Then she was mounted and away.
The early morning mist swirled around them and the horse caught the joy of the secret ride. He stretched out, speeding across the landscape at his smooth gallop. They rode at this pace for a while, until finally Moonshadow tired. Dariana, reluctant to go back to the meadow where she had been taken by Cedric, had turned to ride in the opposite direction. She now guided her mount to a secluded glade near a babbling brook. Exhilarated, but tiring, she eased from the horse’s back. He wandered away to nibble on the fragrant stalks of sweet grass. Dariana moved to the cool water and sat on the bank, her back against a sturdy tree.
The water sang in her ears as the day warmed and Dariana’s mind drifted to touch on this memory and that, each bringing a smile to her lips in turn. Her thoughts were of her husband, her babe, and the delights life offered. Soon, she dozed.
A sound woke her. Someone was approaching; footsteps swished throu
gh the underbrush. She slipped the dagger from its cover and hid it in the folds of her skirt. Controlling her breathing to remain composed, she waited. All was quiet. Was it her imagination? No mater, it was time to go. As she clutched Moonshadow’s mane to mount, a man appeared from behind the brush. Startled, the horse reared and Dariana was propelled to the ground. She scooted backward, giving Moonshadow space before regaining her feet. Of course, she thought, as she stared into Cedric’s cold gray eyes. A calm washed over her. It was as if some part of her had expected this. But she felt no fear, only determination.
“My lady.” He bowed. A quick assessment determined he had underestimated her, as he had come unarmed. Rage at his insolence rose from her toes. How dare he continue these tactics? She knew she must use her wits or all would be lost.
“How long have you been skulking in the shadows, eager for another opportunity?”
“It matters not. You are here with me now and it appears you are unguarded. It seems too simple.” His confidence was irritating.
“Enough, Cedric. Your allies are dead and you are defeated.”
“Such bravado. Think you I will just go?”
“I can hope.”
He laughed. “By all means, continue to hope. It will be all you have left before I finish with you.”
“Do you think me such easy prey? On the contrary, it is you who will die.” Dariana knew this was to be the outcome. She had to kill him or they would never be free.
His disbelief was clear. “Are you threatening me? Have you no idea who I am? I have killed men twice your size. Why, you yourself have witnessed it. Do you think to frighten me?”
“No, I am promising you. You will not hurt me or mine again. I will see you in your grave first.”
“Such a bloodthirsty wench.” He took a step closer, then another. Dariana stood her ground. He circled her, like a wild animal playing with its prey.
Dariana clenched her hands into fists at her sides and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with power.
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